Luggage Question

[Aerogirl]

For our cruise in November the flight times home are few. One is at 11:30 am and the later one is at 5:00 pm. I’m not comfortable doing the early flight due to our port time isn’t until 8:00am and I don’t think we would make it. My question is what could we do with our luggage for 4 or 5 hours? We don’t want to lug it around with us sightseeing. Is there somewhere to check it if need be?

[Trip]

I just posted this on the Freedom Review thread:

Robin I would not be hesitant to book the 11:30 flight..In Fll, the airport is so close it's a non issue...the longest wait you will have will be the security lines, at the airport. Get off the ship,ASAP,and you should do fine. They have aiport personnel, going through the lines to assist passengers close to their flight times.

That being said though, the onlly glitch I see is, if the ship does not clear customs as early as they normally do..This is not all that commom though.

__________________

[Queen of Oakville]

Here are my thoughts:
-any ship I've ever sailed on .... has cleared early, and people are getting off the ship as early as 7AM.
-most ships allow you early debarkation if you carry off your own luggage
-many ships (they did this on Carnival Dream) offers express service for certain airlines, where they will take your bags before, and you pick them up an your home airport. I don't believe they charge extra for this.

I'd feel pretty safe with a fligth from 10AM onwards ..... although someone here posted recently of a ship that did not clear till early afternoon due to the port being closed for fog. That skeeered me.

[Aerogirl]

Our last cruise out of Tampa we were 4 hours late due to fog and missed our flight. From what I’ve read this is not uncommon when it comes to the port in Tampa. I think I’ll roll the dice and try the 11:30 flight home. Worst case I have to spend the night in Fort Lauderdale if the afternoon flight is full.

[LisaK]

you should be ok with an 11:30 flight, just take your luggage with you and get off the ship as soon as they start disembarkation